Kagome looked up at the sky briefly as she walked home from school. The sun was low in the sky. A light breeze blew her black hair from side to side. Her heavy yellow backpack hung on her shoulders, and she was desperate to get home and remove the extra weight. She had just completed her make-up math exam, and she was not looking forward to the results. Math had never been one of her favorite subjects. The teacher always gave the toughest questions on his exams. On top of that, she wasn't able to focus on the test as much as she would have liked. All she could think about was the fact that tonight was the night of the new moon. Inuyasha would be vulnerable and needs all the help he can get. Who knows what demons they would encounter. With their luck, something always went sour on a night such as this. Her three friends Ayumi, Yuka, and Eri had insisted they walk Kagome home. They loved to ask Kagome how her "boyfriend" was doing and if he had visited her that day. The answer was "yes". He had visited her just that morning. Her thoughts wondered to the time when Inuyasha came to visit her before school and wrecked her bicycle the neighbor had given her. Upon returning home, the bicycle was in even worse shape. Her friends had seen the remains of the bike, which was a twisted mess and thought it was "modern art". Kagome had practically exploded with rage. She smiled. She couldn't believe she got so upset over such a silly thing. That was the day her friends met Inuyasha. They absolutely loved him. She was afraid they would discover that Inuyasha was a half-demon, but with luck, Inuyasha had his ears covered.
Behind her, her three friends were talking softly amongst each other. The topic was how depressed Kagome appeared. "So, Kagome", Yuka began, interrupting Kagome's thoughts, "How do you think you did on your make-up math exam?"
Kagome sighed again and looked at the ground. "I don't know. OK, I guess." She didn't like talking about how she did on her exams. The more she thought about it, the more depressed it made her. "Let's talk about something else, ok?"
"Hmmm… I know what you're thinking about! I'll bet you're having boyfriend problems again, eh Kagome?" Yuka teased.
Kagome stopped walking and turned to face her friends. She blushed slightly. "It's not like that," she said in a defensive tone of voice, "Really! I'm just a little bit tired. That math test really wore me out."
"Sure it is. Well anyways, don't let that get you sick again! There's another math test next week," Yuka said cheerfully.
Kagome's shoulders drooped and her head hung even lower. "Thanks for reminding me," replied Kagome. The very thought of another math test shortly after the one she just took made her depressed. Moving to the feudal era began to sound very appealing right about now, a topic that came up often when with Inuyasha and the gang. She wouldn't have to worry about all her exams. They continued walking and rounded the corner in the sidewalk and they walked up to the stairs leading to Kagome's house.
"See you later, Kagome" Eri shouted as her three friends continued walking down the sidewalk, leaving Kagome to walk the rest of the way alone.
"Bye, bye", Kagome called out. "Sometimes I really hate these stairs!" thought Kagome, as she began to drag herself up the steep stairs. "We really should get an elevator!"
Shippo finally reached the bone eater's well. He was relieved that he made it to the well as quickly as he did. He changed back from a balloon to his normal form with a "pop" and landed softly on the ground. Upon walking up to the well, he peered inside. He was immediately met with disappointment. "Damn it! It's empty! She's still not here yet! Oh what to do! What to do!" he shouted out loud to himself as he walked around in circles as he began pounding himself on the head. Naraku's about to spring his trap and Kagome was in the present, oblivious to what had transpired. They did not know what Naraku's plan was this time, but it mattered not. He knew it had to be bad, and he wasn't helping anybody by wasting his time here. Inuyasha's stubbornness and pride would one day be their undoing. Shippo growled in frustration. "We really need Kagome! Her brother's been kidnapped!" After walking around in several small circles near the well, Shippo began to feel dizzy. He sat down next to the well, and leaned his back against it. He stared up at the sky. The sun was getting lower in the sky. The new moon was almost upon them. He looked back down at his feet. He knew Inuyasha should have been the one to go back for Kagome. Only he could go down the well. It was because of Inuyasha's stubbornness that there would be a delay in Kagome's returning. "Kagome, I hope you come back soon! I sure wish I could travel through the well so I could tell you what has happened." He looked up at the sky. The sun had sunk a little bit more. "She'd better hurry!"
Kagome opened the door to the house and walked in. She set her yellow backpack on the floor. She sighed in relief. It sure felt good for her to lose that heavy load. As she was closing the door, her mother walked up to her.
"Welcome home, dear. How was your math test?"
Kagome's shoulders sunk once again."I really don't want to talk about it. You know how I feel about math," replied Kagome.
"Yes, dear, I'm fully aware of that." She paused. "Oh, and by the way, have you seen your brother? I haven't seen him all afternoon."
"No, I haven't. When was the last time you saw him?"
"Oh, earlier this afternoon. He was talking with Inuyasha out in the yard by the sacred tree. Then I saw the two of them walking towards that old well you use to travel to the past. I checked the whole house. I haven't seen either one."
Kagome gasped. "Did you just say you saw them walking towards the well?"
"Why yes. Why do you ask?"
"It couldn't be!" Kagome thought to herself. "Could it be possible for Inuyasha to take others down the well and travel to the past?" Her face immediately turned from exhaustion to surprise and concern. If Inuyasha had been able to take Sota to the past, he should be ok, but Inuyasha has been known to be sometimes cocky and careless as well.
"What's the matter, Kagome? You look quite surprised all of a sudden."
"No time to explain, Mom! I gotta go now!" she said as she quickly ran out of the house and towards the well, leaving her backpack behind.
"Hmm." Kagome's mom thought. "She had a look of great urgency on her face. I wonder what the problem could be. She thought for a moment. There's only one thing that could have happened…." She gasped. "Sota must have gone down the well with Inuyasha! I didn't think that was possible! I never even thought of the possibility." She was fully aware of the dangers that lurked beyond the well. Dangers she couldn't even begin to comprehend, and dangers she knew Sota could not comprehend either. Kagome told her about the many dangers she had encountered. She ran outside towards the well. She caught up with Kagome just in time.
"Kagome!"
"Yeah, Mom?" she responded right before she was about to jump into the well, her quiver on her back and a bow in her hand. She had conveniently left them right next to the well on the ground.
"Be careful! Bring back Sota as soon as you can!"
Kagome nodded. "I'll bring Sota back home as soon as I can." Then to herself she thought, "I sure hope Naraku doesn't know about this. He'll jump at the chance without hesitation to harm someone close to me." She shook her head. Now was not the time to be thinking about the worst-case scenario. Sota's probably in the village making friends, so there's nothing to worry about, but she still couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She was worried. Something could have happened before they reached the village. It was also the night of the new moon. If something went wrong, Inuyasha would be unable to help, lest Naraku discover the secret. She feared she and her friends would be unable to defeat Naraku without Inuyasha's strength.
"Oh, Sota! Please be alright!" she thought. She leaped into the well. A brilliant blue light shot up from the well, and she was gone. Kagome's mom stood in the empty well house deep in thought, staring at the empty well for what seemed an eternity. She then turned around and walked back to the house. She silently hoped that there was nothing to worry about.
Kagome climbed out of the well to find Shippo resting his back against the well. Shippo immediately turned around to face her. His face was filled with great relief. He wasted no time. "Kagome, Kagome! Naraku kidnapped your brother!" he cried with desperation.
Kagome gasped. Her heart raced. Sota had no idea what Naraku was capable of. Panic filled her entire body. Her thoughts shifted from fear to anger. Inuyasha was going to pay for this! If he hadn't brought Sota here, this never would have happened. If he had wanted to try his little theory of being able to bring others throught the well, he should have waited for her! His recklessness caused this whole situation. "Shippo! Did Inuyasha say anything else? How did it happen?
Shippo shook his head "no". "I'm sorry, Kagome! Inuyasha wouldn't elaborate. You know, his pride an'all!"
Kagome's face turned red with rage. Her worst nightmare had come true. Naraku now had Sota in his clutches, and who knows what evil plan he had conjured up. Inuyasha had been careless. He should never have let Sota convince him to try such a stunt. "Shippo! What direction did everybody go?"
"To the Northeast!" he responded. Shippo and Kagome immediately ran in that direction, hoping to catch up with them. They had no idea how far they had to travel, but Kagome found her strength return to her as desperation filled her body. Shippo transformed himself into a hawk-like creature and glided right next to Kagome, just a few feet off the ground. "Kagome, hop on! We'll catch up with them in no time!" Kagome nodded in agreement as she hopped onto Shippo, and the two of them took to the air. Within moments, a Saimyosho flew by, as if it were asking to be followed. They immediately decided to follow it, and within a few minutes, the two of them caught up with Inuyasha and the rest of their friends. "Inuyasha! Sango, Miroku, Kirara! Wait for us!" Shippo called out. They did, and Shippo touched down and transformed back. Kagome landed on her feet and ran up to Inuyasha. "What took you so long, Kagome, he complained. Kagome answered his question with a cold stare. "Inuyasha! You are so reckless! How could you have let this happen?"
"Don't start blaming me, wench! It wasn't MY fault!"
"Arrrrgggg! Inuyasha, you are SUCH an IDIOT! SIT, BOY!" Kagome screamed, tears streaming down her face. Inuyasha was so insensitive.
CRASH Inuyasha was violently pulled to the ground by his beads of subjugation. Inuyasha pulled his face from the dirt and gave Kagome a cold stare. "Why'd you do that for, you wench! I said it wasn't my fault! It's that bitch Kagura's fault. Blame her if you must blame somebody!"
"Well YOU were the one who was SUPPOSED to PROTECT him! SIT!"
CRASH Inuyasha was once again violently pulled the ground. He did not get the chance to get back to his feet before the inevitable, violent pull to the ground from the beads.
Kagome breathed hard, trying to catch her breath. She had screamed at the top of her lungs that time. She was pissed. Miroku placed his right hand on Kagome's left shoulder. "Kagome, please calm down. What you're doing right now won't change the situation. Right now we need to concentrate on rescuing your brother. Kagome sighed, drooped her head, and let her shoulders sag. Miroku then removed his hand. He was right. Punishing Inuyasha wasn't going to change anything. The group of friends then continued to follow the saimyosho, which appeared to be getting impatient. It flew down and beckoned them to follow it.
The situation was getting desperate. It was nearly sundown, and they still had not found Naraku's castle. After a short distance, they saw it. In the distance, past the trees was an ominous looking castle surrounded by a thick miasma. Everyone frowned. "Inuyasha", said Kagome, "How are we going to venture further? We can't survive in that!"
"It looks like only Kirara, Shippo, Sango if she uses her mask, and myself can go further," replied Inuyasha a hint of irritation in his voice. "No human without protection would last ten seconds in that miasma!"
"Inuyasha, Shippo, Kirara, and even yourself won't last long in that kind of enviornment" replied Sango. "Even my mask won't protect me forever!" Inuyasha nodded. They would have to hurry. Naraku was toying with them. He wanted to keep them separated for some sick, demented reason. He must have some reason for not wishing Kagome to be among the first to see what he has planned.
"Inuyasha! You have to stay behind!" Kagome pleaded, "You turn human very soon! There's no way you'd have enough time! Please stay here!"
"Kagome," said Inuyasha, "You and I both know I have to go. As it is, we probably don't have enough manpower. It's that damn miasma!"
Kagome nodded in defeat. She was not pleased with the circumstances. "I so want to take part in kicking Naraku's ass for doing this to me!" she said under her breath. Miroku, sensing Kagome's frustration, placed his right hand on her left shoulder again, trying to quell her fears. The new moon was less than twenty minutes away. If Inuyasha didn't hurry, Naraku would surely see him in his human form, but Inuyasha's pride blinded him from common sense. He took one more look at Kagome and then began to run towards the castle. Sango put her mask on and then mounted Kirara. Shippo ran up to Kirara and jumped onto her head, grabbing her fur. The three of them then took to the air, following Inuyasha to the castle.
Naraku entered the dungeon to find Kyofu toying with Sota. "Kyofu! It is now time to carry out the plan! Inuyasha and his friends approach the castle at this very moment! Kyofu frowned in disappointment. He had enjoyed terrifying Sota, but he was still looking forward to carrying out the evil plan. He nodded at Naraku and once again turned to face Sota. "Now's comes the fun part!" Kyofu chuckled. Sota stared in disbelief as Kyofu's seemingly solid shape suddenly become semi transparent. He twisted his body around like one would roll a piece of clay into a snake. He levitated in front of Sota's face, whose mouth had dropped open in shock and disbelief. Kyofo suddenly flew around Sota's face and flew into his right ear. Sota immediately grabbed his head in his head and shook it from side to side, screaming in agony. Sweat began to pour down his face as he desperately tried to shake Kyofu from himself, but it was all in vain. Naraku smiled evilly at the sight. His plan was finally in motion and was working perfectly. Sota's screams echoed throughout the castle…
A/N: Please review and tell me what you think!